No plans to play Floyd, Kevin Williams side by side

MANKATO -- Defensive coordinator Alan Williams met with reporters for the first time this training camp. Here's some of the Alan's highlights and at least one media lowlight:

Q: Is this the best defensive line you've had in your time here?

A: "Well, I've only had one year. ... So I'd say yes."

Q: If Sharrif Floyd and Kevin Williams are your two best tackles, would you play them together? (Floyd, a rookie first-round pick, is the backup at the three-technique tackle position behind Williams, an 11-year veteran)

A: "I don't think so. That's not a definite, but the one thing that we do do is we rotate [defensive linemen] so much that you do need two three-techniques and you need two noses [nose tackles]. We'll see how that shakes out, but the one thing about those two spots is they're different spots. Just because you are a great three-technique doesn't mean you're going to come in and play nose and be as effective. So I don't think so, but I'm not going to rule anything out."

Q: How tough is it to get the veteran defensive linemen to accept a rotation that cuts their snaps?

A: "Great question, but that's the same question we had from last year. Guys know they're going to rotate. They know at some point they're going to have to come out of the ballgame. And that's going to be the best thing for the team, but not necessarily the best thing for their number of reps. But we want to make sure that we keep them fresh, that we keep them going for three reasons. One is at the end of the ballgame, when we need to shut it out, so guys are fresh and can get themselves going. No. 2 would be at the end of the year when we have to make that playoff push, that guys are healthy and don't have too many reps on their body so they're fresh. And No. 3 is that if someone would happen to get injured then the other guy would have enough reps under his belt that he can come in there and play winning football. So having that rotation helps the entire team out. And they're good with it, even though they may tell you, `Hey, I want to play every down.' They know what's best for us as a whole."

A: "He just needs the reps. He needs to see the different plays that he's going to get in practice. I don't think people realize how tough that position is. That's a position that you have to fit lit a safety or a linebacker in the box and you have to cover like a corner when you're on a receiver. That's a position unlike other ones where you can just get by by being talented. You have to have good instincts, you have to be talented and you have to see the reps. We're very, very encouraged with him playing in that spot."

Q: What kind of progress is safety Jamarca Sanford making as a leader?